WONTHAGGI Power has paved the way to a blockbuster Second Semi Final clash against Leongatha next Saturday, September 3 at the Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe, with an impressive 16-point victory over Sale at Morwell on Saturday.
And the win was set up in spectacular style by Wonthaggi full forward Troy Harley who came on strong after a solid first quarter by Sale 5.3 to 4.1, kicking all three Power goals in the second quarter and then four more in-a-row in the ‘premiership quarter’ to virtually ice the game.
By the last change, Wonthaggi had established a 30-point lead and try as Sale might, with a fairly dominant last quarter in terms of possession, Wonthaggi players, to-a-man, tackled, blocked, harassed and did everything desperately possible to protect that winning lead.
Sale kicked the only two goals of the last term, to Wonthaggi’s one point, but in the end it was Wonthaggi by a comfortable 16 points.
The only real downside from the game, and it was a worrying one, was the clash in the play between big Sale power forward Brad Dessent and Wonthaggi ball magnet Mitch Hayes early in the last quarter with Hayes being stretchered off and ultimately taken away for precautionary assessment.
No news on his condition as yet but the match was halted for quite some minutes while all necessary caution was shown.
The match was set up by Wonthaggi’s willing band of runners and ball winners, with the likes of the Blair brothers, Jarryd and Jack, together with Aiden Lindsay, Andrew Murray, Ryan Sparkes and Mitch Hayes, among others, getting on top of their opponents, or at least breaking even after the first quarter.
They were backed up strongly in defence where Steven Scott and Kyle Reid were standouts.
But throughout the day, it was Wonthaggi’s better use of the ball, always hitting up a player coming out of defence and “lowering their eyes” to make good connections in the forward 50.
Speaking after the game, man of the match Troy Harley acknowledged that the midfield and flankers hadn’t blazed away coming into the forward line and also that the team had been working hard on its kicking for goal after giving up a few wins through the season as a result of inaccuracy.
“Yes, it was good. The umpires helped me out bit but I got great service from the boys up the field as well who showed great composure in the forward 50 and not simply dropping it on your head,” said Harley.
He paid tribute to the work ethic of the players downfield and said he was just happy to help provide reward for their effort.
As good as Wonthaggi were against Sale on Saturday, Harley was prompted in an interview on TRFM that they’d need to get even better against Leongatha next Saturday.
Harley acknowledged that Wonthaggi was probably the underdogs against Leongatha but he felt the team hadn’t put its best foot forward in matches against Leongatha so far this year.
The best may be yet to some.
But this Saturday’s win over Sale was huge in the scheme of things and raises hopes of what many independent footy fans in South Gippsland and Bass Coast would like to see, a Leongatha versus Wonthaggi grand final.
In the stats department; Sale won the inside 50s count with 41 to Wonthaggi’s 37, including 10 to 5 in the last quarter. Wonthaggi still managed to win the clearances though, 32 to 29 and the centre clearances 16 to 7. Free kicks were also in Wonthaggi’s favour, 28 to 19, mainly earned through putting their head over the ball or strong tackling, a feature of their game this week. Marks were in Wonthaggi’s favour too 75 to 55 with contested marks 12 to 10 also in Wonthaggi’s favour.
Wonthaggi kicked 6.5 from turnovers and 6.2 from stoppages.
Sale’s Jack Leslie and Daine McGuiness earned the honours in the ruck over Toma Huther, Jakeb Thomas and others but Huther backed up his competitive work in the ruck with a strong contribution around the ground.
Final scores: Wonthaggi 12.7.79 def Sale 9.9.63.
Leongatha’s A Grade netballers won the day 63-34 against Moe.